Flying switch



F. W. HENRIKSON.

FLYING SWITCH.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT-1151921.

Patented Aug. 1 1922.

4 SHEETS-SHEET lmmw,

F. W. HENRIKSON.

FLYING SWITCH] APPLIFJATION FILED SEPT-13.1921.

Patented Aug. 11, 1922.

4 sHEETs-HEET 2.

F. W. HENRIKSON.

FLYING SWITCH.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT- 13. 1921.

mwf mo 4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

Patented Aug. 1

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lll i F. W. HENRIKSON.

FLYING SWITCH.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 13. 1921.

Patented Au FRANK Vii. HENRIKSON. 03B MULEEItiEtY, KANSAS.

FLYING SWITCH.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented; Aug. 1,1922.

Application filed September 13, 1921. Serial No. 500,385.

To (ZZZ whom.- it may concern it known that I. FRANK lV. HENRIE- SON, citizen of the United States, residing at Mulberry. in the county of Crawford, State of Kansas. have invented i certain new and useful improvements in Flying Switches, of which the following is a description, reference being had to the accompanying d swing and to the figures of reference marked thereon.

This invention relates to railway switches, and more particularly to a flying switch especially adapted for mine use.

At the present time when a dinlrey or motor hauling a train of mine cars is approaching a siding at which point it is desired to shunt the dinkey onto the siding and to send. the cars down the main track, the operator on the dinkey pulls the coupling pin when about thirty "feet from the siding switch thereby uncoupling the dinkey om the train of cars. The dinlrey then speeds up and pulls away from the following cars so that about thirty lieet intervenes. The spring switch has been previously set for the dinkey to pass into the siding. After the dinlrey has passed over the switch into the siding, the engineer on the dinkey reaches out from the side of the dinlrey and manually throws a lever upstanding by the side of the track to throw the spring switch to main traclr position so that the oncoming train oi mine cars is directed straight down the main track and not on the siding. On the return trip when the dinlrey is returning with a load oi empties betore the dinhey reaches the switch. the engineer on the dinlnw reaches out and. throws the switch back to the siding; position so that the dinkey and. empties can pass up along; the main track in the reverse direction. .r'it the other end oi the main track the reverse operation of he corresponding siding switch. takes place, i. e., at the point it is desired to shunt the empties onto the siding and to pass the dinlzey up the main track to couple to more loaded cars. Aiccordingly when'the dinkey with a load off empties arrives at a point about thirty feet in advance of the switch, the dinhey is again uncoupled from the empties as be'torc. T iis switch is already set tor straight ahead so that the dinkey proceeds along the straight track. The operator on the leading mine car reaches out and throws the upstanding lever at the side of the tract: to throw the switch so that the cars do not go up the main track but pass onto the siding. In order to reset the switch tor next time, the operator must then drop oiiithe moving mine cars which have passed onto the siding, go back to theswitch and reset it for the straight track position. All of these operations require the presence of an extra operator on the mine cars, and in some types of si'itches.,-separate operators must be stationed on the ground at the switches to throw them at the proper time. The manual operation of these switches is objectionable because if the operator does not throw the switch at the proper moment, much time is lost in re-routing the cars and accidents are liable to result. Furthermore experience has shown that thepractice o" haring an operator jump cit ainoving train of cars to reset the switch is most dangen one and has resulted in many accidents.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a switch which is automatically operated by the moving dinlrey when approaching the switch from one direction to throw the switch one way and when approaching the switch from the other dirc'ction to throw the switch the other lnotl'ier object of this invention is to provide such a double-acting flying switch which can be thrown independently of the automatic mechanism by the action or" the wheels of a car crowding the switch over to desired. position, just as an ordinary type o i spring switch. ope" tor.

Still another object of this invention resilfles in prov' 'ng a double-acting flying switch which can be also manually operated to throw it in either direction.

A hurther feature oi. this invention resides in providing manual means for throwing the switch .in either direction with means whereby the switch can be locked in such positions so as to preclude either manual or automatic operation thereof, 7

Another feature resides in providing means whereby the switchv can be locked against manual operation while iermitting "its tree automatic pperation as a flying switch.

Still another object resides in the novel construction oi": the throwing block which is depressed by the contact ot' the dinlrey or wheels apprmiching it from either direction and which causes the operation oil the switch first in one direction or the other corresponding to the direction of approach of the dinkey or other operating vehicle.

A further feature of this invention re sides in the novel construction of the throwing block and its manner of cooperation with the three reverse-block throwing cranks whereby the main or central crank is given a .preliminary throw by either of the leading cranks on opposite sides thereof, from a vertical dead center position to a position inclined in the direction of throwof such central crank either to the right or left accordingtothe direction of approach of the actuating vehicle. or dinkey. I v

Another feature of this invention resides in the provision'of rollers which cooperate with. the inclined surfaces on either end of the jointed throwing block whereby to in-,

sure the movement of the throwing block in the same direction'as the preliminary setting of the main or central crank which has been inclined in the proper direction by the selected leading crank.

Yet another object of the invention resides in the novel arrangement of the two leading cranks and the intermediate reversing crank in which the two leading cranks are normally held by spring tension in a position inclined toward the normallyvertically positioned intermediate crank.

Still another object of this invention re-' in providing double acting spring operated means for holding the switch in thrown position, which means permits the free shifting of the switch by the crowding of the wheels thereagainst.

A further object resides in providing the switch stand with a shiftable indicator,

either a light or a sign, which shows the position of the switch to the operator of the approaching train. 7

Another feature of the invention consists in forming the reversing. block with a recessed yoke whose internal faces are inclined inwardly anddownwardly so that minimum length of crank Wlll produce a maximum throw of the reversing block in either directi'on.

These and other objects will in part appear obvious and will in part appear apparent from a perusal of the accompanying specification when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which.-

Figure l is aplan view of the switch shown in operation with the siding track;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the reverse block on the line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a section on the line ,33 of Fig. 2; I

Fig. 45 is a side elevation of the throwing block for throwing the reverse block on the line ll of Fig. 1; 7

Figures 5 and 6 are views of various positions of the throwing block;

Fig. 7 is a side section of the throwing blocln the cranks and the reverse block on the line 77 ofFig. l; r

-Fig. 8 is a fragmentary view of the reverse block in another position;

Fig. 9 is a section on the line 9-4) of Fig. 1;

Fig. 10 is an additional view of the'switch and track shown in Fig. 1, but with'the switch in its thrown position, and V Fig. 11 is a section on the line 11 11 of F ig. l.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, the main track 1 is provided at the desired point with the siding track 2 and with the shiftalole switch points 3 for eithershunting the cars to the siding or directing thein' straight down the main track as will be hereinafter made manifest. Under certain circumstances, these switch points can be operated as ordinary spring switches. They are pivoted at 4 and are shifted laterally by means of the sliding bar 5 operated by the link 6. This link is pivotally connected as at 7 to the block 8 which is in turn pivotally mounted on a pin 9to the switch stand 10. This pivotal pint) extends upwardly througha supporting bracket 10'.

and is provided ith a signal 10 such as the usual lights on an. indicator. In order ,to retain the switch in anythrown position, the block is provided. at 11 with a piv otal connection to a lever 12, the free end which passes through an opening in an upstanding ear 1% on a bracket 15 mounted on the stand 10. A. spring 16 is coiled between the inner end. of lever 12 and the ear l-it sothat when the block 1s thrown to one or the other side of a straight line between the pivot 9 and the ear 14:, it will be further thrown by the spring and will be retained in such position. This spring as thus arranged also permits. the switch to be thrown by being crowded by the car wheels.

'At a desired distance from thepivota-l point t of the switch points, in the present instance a distance equal to the length of.

mechanism comprises a base or standard 18 located adjacent the rail 2 of the siding, and preferably formed with spaced upstanding bearings 19 and 20 arranged in pairs, there being three pairs. These bearings support the oscillatablc cranks 21, 22 and 23 These cranks are provided at one end with rather short crank arms 26, 25 and 2 1, respectively, which in turn are formed with circular studs 27, 28 and 29, respectively. The outer cranks 21 and 23 terminate at their opposite ends at their bearings 20 whereas the middle crank 22 is longer and is provided with a. relatively long crank arm 30 formed with a circular stud 31, which carries a friction roller 32. Coiled about each of the cranks 21, 22 and 23 are the springs 33, and each of which has one end ...st to a collar 36 on the particular crank, the other end of the spring being fast to the bearing member 20. As illustrated in Fig. 4-, these springs are normally arranged so that the two out side cranks 2 1- and 26 are inclined inwardly toward the intermediate crank 25 while the central spring 3e maintains the crank 8 in a natural vertical position. This is an important feature.

These cranks 2st, 25 and 26 are adapted to operatively connect with the throwingblock. The throwing block is preferably made of two sections 37 and 38 jointed or dove-tailed together at the center as at 39 (see Figures 1 and 7) so that one section can be depressed in advance of the other.

Each of the sections 37 and 38 is provided with an elongated slot 40 and il, respectively, and are formed at their junction 89 with a circular aperture. The slots 10 and ll receive the pins or lugs 27 and 29, respectively, while the circular aperture receives the intermediate crank pin 28. The outside under surface of each section is beveled upwardly as at 12 and 41-3 to constitutc an inclined or cam surface to cooperate with friction rollers 4L6 and 4,15 disiiiosed beneath the ends 01 the sections and jouiaialed to the base or standard 18. Figures 5 and 6 give a. clear ideact the action of: the cam. face 43 on. the roller 116. i

The reverse block is mounted in the standard. or base 18 to the rear of the throwing block and cranks. It comprises a yoke 4:6 see Fig. 2 provided with oppositely er:- tending arms 47 and d8 which slide in up right bearings 19 and 50 secured to the base. These uprights are provided with friction rollers 51 and. 52 which rotate in a. horizontal plane and thus insure the free sliding movement of the reverse block.

The base is likewise provided with an upright support 53, (see Fig. 3) provided with spaced. friction rolls and which rotate about vertical axes and receive be tween them the free end of the arm 1 7.

inwardly and downwardly inclined camrfaccs 5t} and 57 'which are designed to cooperate with the friction roller 32 on the pin 31 ot crank 30 so that when the crank is oscillated to the right or to the lei tthe reverse block will be shifted accordingly. By inclining these faces SGand 57, the maximum throw oi. the block is secured withminiinuin length of crank arm 30. At its upper portion, the yoke is arcuately cut away as at 58 and 59 to permit this movement.

The free end of arm 4-? is pivotally connected to a lever 60 in turn pivotally connected at 61 to block 8.

In order to permit hand operation of the reverse block h"), in case the automaticinechanism be out of operation, the crank pin 31 see- Fig. 7 of the longer crank arm 30 is provided with an integral projection 62, preferably formed rectangular or angular to key thereto a vertically depending arin 63 provided at its base with spaced ears 64. between which are pivoted the hand lever 65. This lever is formed with a slot 66 so that when the lever is swung to vertical position in the plane of the arm 63, the end of the rectangular projection 62 will pass through the similarly formed slot so that the lever will'be rigid with the arm 63 for throwing the reverse block to the right or to the left. i

The base 18 is additionally provided with uprightears G7, 68 and 69. The ear (37 is located to the extreme left of the reverse block in such a position that w ien the lever is thrown to its limit in that direction, the lever will pass behind the ear and can be locked by a cross pin 70. Reverscly, when. the lever 65 is thrown to extreme opposite position, it will be behind the car (39 and can be locked by pin 71. lloth of? these the plane of Operation.

In the operation of the device, when a dinkey and train olirnine cars are approacl'n ing the switch from the left-hand end of Fi 1, when the dinkcy arrives about thirty tteet :troin the switch, the dinkev uncou pled from the mine cars, the engineerspeecs up so that the dinkey runs ahead of the oil-coining cars. The switch points are already set for the siding so that the dinkey passes. onto the track 2. After the last wheels of the dinkey leave the switch point p at thepi'vot 4, the frontwheels of the dinkey, I or any predetermined part of the dinkey strike the throwing block, which is normally in the position illustrated in Fig. As the wheel passes onto the section 37 it is depressedto the position shown in Fig. 5, the

crank 21 being oscillated inwardly and the pin 27'sliding in the elongated slot 40 of the section37a This sinking movementof the sector 87 oscillates the centralcrank from a pure vertical position to a position inclined in the direction in which the dinkey is moving, toward the right in Fig. 5. This isthe preliminary setting movement to in} sure that the central crank 25 does not remain in vertical position preparatory to the wheel passing entirely across sections 37 and p appended ClZtIIIIS. I i

38. It will be observed that the inclined under surface 43 of the section 37 is now resting on the friction roller 46,,which construction additionally insures the movement of the section 37. to the right inFig. 5. The dinkey wheel is now passing acrossthe uncture of the sections 37 and 38 ofthe throwing block-and in doing. so, depresses the same to the position shown in Fig. 6. movement completely osclllates the intermediate crank 25 by reason of the pin 28 in the aperture in the joined sections,'and this oscillation of crank 22 is transmitted to cranlrarm 30 to swing the reversing bloch to its extreme lateral position, the roller tothe main track position so that the on wiping down the inwardly and downwardly inclined cam face 57. This shifting of'the reversmg block through the lever swings the block 8 about its pivot 9, and when the block has moved over the straight line he tween the pivot 9 and the lever .12, the coiled spring lti will snap'the switch points l back coining mine cars will pass down the main sections 37 and 38, they willbe instantly returned to upright position by, means of the coiled springs 33, 34 and 35.

Now when the dinkey returns up the siding 2 with a loadwof mine cars, the dinkey will approach thethrowing block from the opposite direction and the operation of the sections 38 and 37 will be just the reverse.

In this instance, the section 38 will be the active section to accomplish the preliminary throw or oscillation of the central crank 25. The section 37 in thisicase will be the idle section, the crank pin 27 will shift idly in the slot L-Ojust as did the crank pin 29 shift I idlyin the slot ll when the section37 was This the initially active sectiontoperlorm the preliminary throwing of the nt rmediate crank25, as first described- Asthe wheels of the dinkey pass onto the unction oi? the two sections 37 and 38 ,r'roin the last described direction, the switch points'throngh the intermediate mechanism will be thrown Itwill be obvious that the switch points 3 are freeto be crowded over by the action of the wheels, just as any ordinary spring switch will be operated, this free operation not being interfered with bythe automatic featuresofthe switch I j i It is obvious that minor changesniay be made in the construction illustrated, it not being intended to limit the invention to the exact details shown and descrlbedexcept as the disclosure is limited by the scope of the Having thus described theinvention, what :I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters-Patent, is

1. In a device of the combination with av main track-and its sid- 237 shifted into either position, means comprising a single throwing block connected to saidfswitch points and arranged adjacent said siding adapted to be depressed :by a vehiclemoving along said siding, said block being constructed and arranged to automatically'throw said switch points in one; direction when depressed by a vehicle approachfrom one direction and to automatically throw the switch points reversely when dopressed by a vehicle approaching from the opposite direction.

class described, in.-

a' pair. of switch points adapted to be 2. in a device or" the class described, in

combination with a main track and'siding,

a pair of switch points adapted" to be shifted into either position, automatic means arrangedadjacent' said siding and connected to said switch-points and adapted to be depressed by a vehicle moving along said siding, said means being constructed and an ranged to automatically throw said switch points in one direction when depressed bya vehicle approaching from one direction and to automatically throw the switchpoints reversely when depressed by a [vehicle ap proaching from the opposite direction, said means permitting the free lateral crowding of the switch points by the wheels of the vehicle. 7

3. In a device of the class described, in combination with a main track and siding, a pair of switch points adapted to be shifted into either position, automatic means arranged adjacent said siding beyond thepivotal point of said switch points and connect ed to said switch points adapted to be depressed by a vehicle moving along said sid ing, said means being constructed and arranged to automatically throw said switch points in one direction when depressed by a vehicle approaching from one direction and to automatically throw the switch points reversely when depressed by a vehicle approaching from the opposite direction, and manually operable means connected to said mechanism for throwing said switch points in either direction.

rt. In a device of the class described, in combination with a main track and siding, a pair of switch points adapted to be shifted into either position, automatic means arranged adjacent said. siding and. connected to said switch points and adapted to be de pressed by a vehicle moving along said siding, said means being constructed and arranged to automatically throw said switch points in one direction when depressed by a vehicle approaching from said direction and to automatically throw the switch points re versely when depressed by a vehicle appreaching from the opposite direction, manually operable means connected to said mechanism for throwing said switch points in either direction, and means for locking said manual means against manual operation while permitting the free operation of said automatic means.

5. In combination with a siding switch, a throwing block arranged adjacent the siding track and adapted to be depressed by the moving vehicle, said block comprising two pivotally connected sections, an intermediate crank having a pin pivotally connected to the junction of said sections, two exterior cranks, each having a pin making aswinging connection in an elongated slot in the outer end of each section, means for normally maintaining said intermediate crank in vertical position and for normally maintaining said exterior. cranks inclined inwardly toward said intermediate crank, and means for shifting said switch in one direction or the other on the oscillation of said intermediate crank in one direction or the other. i

6. In combination with a siding switch, a throwing block arranged adjacent the siding track and adapted to be depressed. by the moving vehicle, said block comprising two pivotally connected sections, an intermediate crank having a pin pivotally connected to the junction of said sections, two exterior cranks, each having a pin making a swinging connection in an elongated slot in the outer end of each section, means for normally maintaining said intermediate crank in vertical position and for normally maintaining said exterior cranks inclined inwardly toward said intermediate crank, means for shifting said switch in one di rection or the other on the oscillation of said intermediate crank in one direction or the other, and means for insuring the initial oscillation of either outside crank toward the central crank to thereby give said latter crank a movement away from the vertical.

7. In combination with a siding switch,

a centralrcrank adapted to be depressed by a moving vehicle and to throw a switch in one direction or the other according to its direction of depression, means connecting said crank with said switch, means for normally maintaining said crank in substantially vertical position, and means for preliminarily swinging said central crank from said vertical position into a position in clined in the direction in which it is to be depressed.

8. In combination with a siding switch, a central crank adapted to be depressed by a moving vehicle and to throw a switch in one direction or the other according to its direction of depression, means connecting said crank with said switch, means for normally maintaining said crank in substantially vertical positioma crank arranged on each side of said central crank adapted to be depressed by and in the direction of movement of the vehicle, and means operable by the depression of either of said cranks for preliminarily swinging said central crank from said vertical position into a position inclined in the direction of the moving vehicle.

9. in combination with a siding switch, a throwing block arranged adjacent the siding track and adapted to be depressed by the moving vehicle, said block comprising pivotally joined sections constructed and arranged to be sequentially depressed in one direction-or the other corresponding to the direction of approach of the moving vehicle, and means connecting said block to the switch point to automatically throw said switch in one direction or the other according to the order of sequential operation of said sections.

10. In combination with a siding switch, a crank adapted to be thrown in one direction or the other by a moving vehicle de pending upon its direction of approach, a. second crank arm fixed to said crank and oscillating with it, a yoke having downwardly and inwardly inclined sides arranged on opposite sides of the center of oscillation oi said second crank arm and adapted to be wiped thereby to shift said yoke laterally, and a connection between said yoke and said switch to operate the same.

In testimony whereof, I aflix my signature.

FRANK W. HENRIKSON. 

